GREENVILLE, N.C. -- East Carolina quarterback Shane Carden ran for two touchdowns and threw for a score to overcome three interceptions, leading the Pirates to a 28-18 win over Texas-El Paso on Saturday night.

Carden, who was 28 of 40 for 258 yards, ran for a 6-yard score in the first quarter and threw a 3-yard scoring pass to Justin Hardy that gave the Pirates (3-2, 2-0 Conference USA) their first lead of the game at 14-10 going into halftime.

East Carolina would lead the rest of the way, as Carden's 8-yard TD trot marked the only score of the third. Vintavious Cooper's 24-yard rushing touchdown put the Pirates up 28-10 with 4:56 to play. Cooper finished with 128 yards rushing on 18 carries.

The Miners (1-4, 0-1) got their late touchdown on Autrey Golden's 96-yard return on the ensuing kickoff. Nathan Jeffery led all rushers with 134 yards for UTEP.